Familiar Names Head Up Grammy Nominations

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - Tony Bennett's "MTV Unplugged" was among five albums nominated today for album of the year in the 37th annual Grammy awards.

Five artists tied for most nominations with five apiece - Babyface, Sheryl Crow, Elton John, Bonnie Raitt and Bruce Springsteen.

Bennett will face "The 3 Tenors in Concert 1994," Eric Clapton's "From the Cradle," Bonnie Raitt's "Longing in Their Hearts" and Seal's self-titled album "Seal."

Bruce Springsteen, who won an Academy Award for "Streets of Philadelphia," was nominated for record of the year. The other nominees: Boyz II Men's "I'll Make Love to You," Mary Chapin Carpenter's "He Thinks He'll Keep Her," Sheryl Crow's "All I Wanna Do" and Raitt's "Love Sneakin' Up On You."

Nominations in 87 categories were announced by the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences. The competition covers Oct. 1, 1993, to Sept. 30, 1994. The awards will be given March 1.

Nominations for song of the year (for writing) were "All I Wanna Do," Elton John's "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" and "Circle of Life," All 4 One's "I Swear," and Springsteen's "Streets of Philadelphia."

Joining Crow in the best new artist race were Ace of Base, Counting Crows, Crash Test Dummies and Green Day.

Babyface was nominated for best male R & B vocal performance and four other categories.

Best pop albums include Ace of Base's "The Sign," "The 3 Tenors in Concert 1994," Lyle Lovett's "I Love Everybody," Raitt's "Longing in Their Hearts" and "Seal."

Pearl Jam's "Vs." was named in the best rock album competition, as were R.E.M.'s "Monster," the Rolling Stones' "Voodoo Lounge," Soundgarden's "Superunknown," and Neil Young and Crazy Horse's "Sleeps With Angels."

Pearl Jam's "Vs.," released in late 1993, was widely expected to garner more top nominations, including album of the year. It has sold more than 5 million copies domestically, and sales usually strongly affect Grammy voting. The band recently released a new album, "Vitalogy," which will be in the running for 1996 Grammys.

Soundgarden's "Superunknown" was a breakthrough album for the Seattle grunge pioneers. The Beatlesque single "Black Hole Sun" gave the band widespread exposure on Top 40 and pop radio stations. It peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard album chart, and has sold more than 3 million copies.

The male nominees were the artist formerly known as Prince's "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World," Michael Bolton's "Said I Loved You . . . But I Lied," John's "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," Seal's "Prayer for the Dying" and Luther Vandross' "Love the One You're With."

The country albums were "Tribute to the Music of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys" by Asleep at the Wheel, Carpenter's "Stones in the Road," Vince Gill's "When Love Finds You," Reba McEntire's "Read My Mind" and Trisha Yearwood's "The Song Remembers When."

Male pop vocal performance: "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World," the artist formerly known as Prince; "Said I Loved You . . . But I Lied," Michael Bolton; "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," Elton John; "Prayer for the Dying," Seal; "Love the One You're With," Luther Vandross.

Duo or group country vocal performance: "Blues for Dixie," Asleep At The Wheel with Lyle Lovett; "Love a Little Stronger," Diamond Rio; "When You Say Nothing at All," Alison Krauss and Union Station; "What a Crying Shame," The Mavericks; "Baby Likes to Rock It," The Tractors.